Spohn receives La. Tech honor

05/21/2018

Craig Spohn, president and executive director of the Cyber
Innovation Center (CIC) in Bossier City, received an honorary Doctor of Science
from Louisiana Tech University at its Spring Commencement Ceremony May 19.

Spohn has championed north Louisiana’s development of a
cyber economy for the past decade. Through his efforts, the CIC and its
partners have secured millions of dollars for cyber programs and facilities,
created a knowledge-based economy in the region, and attracted national
attention from industry, government, and other communities.

Under Spohn’s leadership, the CIC serves as catalyst for the
development and expansion of a workforce throughout the region that is prepared
for the challenges of cybersecurity.

“Craig has inspired and connected government, educational,
and company leaders. With his guidance, we continue to work together on the
facilities and programs that make up the National Cyber Research Park in
Bossier City,” said Louisiana Tech President Dr. Les Guice.

“He is committed to developing the programs, curricula, and
activities that have accelerated and will continue to strengthen the growth of
a skilled workforce to support the cyber and defense-related companies in our
region,” Guice said.

Spohn was integral to the establishment of the nation’s
first cyber engineering program at Louisiana Tech. He has also been
instrumental in helping students secure internships and creating professional
development programs.

Thanks to his vision, Tech and CIC have shared in the
development and advancement of programs and partnerships such as the Cyber
Discovery Camps, the Cyber Engineering Research Conferences, and Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives built to create the
next generation of scientific thinkers and innovators in north Louisiana.

“Craig’s leadership has been crucial and helps our
partnership’s primary purpose, to provide more and better opportunities for
Louisiana students to stay here and help continue this wave of economic
development in the cybersecurity field,” Guice said. “We work closely with the
CIC to ensure that technology is taken from the research phase to the applied
phase – with the aim of serving our region’s economic development and national
security interests.

“He has been instrumental as an advisor and guide as we
worked to develop and continue to enhance our cybersecurity academic programs.
Craig’s influence is helping our University prepare students to make a positive
impact on the government agencies and companies that will ensure our country is
safe for years to come.”

Governor John Bel Edwards recently appointed Spohn Chairman
of the newly formed Louisiana Cybersecurity Commission. He also served on the
Consortium for Education, Research and Technology Board; the Biomedical
Research Foundation Board; the Louisiana Tech Computer Science Advisory Board;
and the LSU-Shreveport Science and Technology Council.

Spohn and his wife, Stacy, have a son, Sam, and two
daughters, Caroline and Sarah-Catherine.